An in depth look at the conservation of historic concrete with West Dean College

With the growing appreciation of 20th century architecture and design, so to comes the demand for an understanding of the repair and conservation of materials synonymous with its period.

As leaders in heritage architecture and the conservation of the historic built environment it is important for Purcell to maintain an enhanced understanding of the performance and conservation of all materials, seemingly contemporary and historic.

Together with Alex Baldwin, Katie McEvoy, and Max Thomson from our London studio I was fortunate to recently attend a course at West Dean College on the Conservation of Historic Concrete. This was an opportunity not only to engage with my international colleagues, but to gain a deeper understanding of this material and methods for its conservation.

West Dean are widely recognised as leading educators in arts, design, craft and conservation, founded on the legacy of Edward James and the merits of 'making'. West Dean celebrate the first hand understanding of materials, methods, and artisanal craft. The calibre of the learnings is such that these courses are recognised by Historic England, together with the RIBA, Institute of Historic Building Conservation.

As one of West Dean’s Building Conservation Masterclasses the course was tailored to those looking to update their knowledge of developments in materials, techniques and current practice. Combining both practical and theoretical components delivered by experts in their field, including Purcell’s own 20th century heritage expert Jon Wright, the course provided an opportunity for us to enhance our skills and knowledge in a forum of contemporaries working in management, advisory and contracting capacities, in the UK and internationally.

The collegiate environment of a residential college, albeit in a short course capacity, fostered an open and supportive learning environment which naturally led to networking opportunities and the potential of future knowledge sharing.

Reflecting on the course, several key points stand out:

• The Edward James Foundation and West Dean Estate have left an invaluable legacy as a charitable educational trust devoted to conservation, craft, and the preservation of knowledge.
• Hands-on skills training and the immersive experience of residential learning are incredibly valuable, providing deeper engagement and insight.
• Thorough research and understanding remain the cornerstones of sound decision-making.
• Like-for-like repairs often outperform proprietary and standardized methods in terms of maintaining technical performance.
• It's clear that Purcell truly values their people, investing significantly in their knowledge and expertise.